521 Consequences
The public opinion on Enigma took a drastic turn. The previous supporters of Enigma came out in large numbers on social media.
#SorryEnigma started to trend.
#SorryGuardians closely followed.
And these people started to post their personal interactions with Shadow Guardians and Enigma.
While there were only a few who had direct interactions with Enigma, there was a tonne of people whose lives were influenced by Shadow Guardians.
The social media giants couldn't take down Dreamer's post. But the same couldn't be said for these posts.
So, they began a round of cleansing.
In a matter of minutes, they erased everything related to Enigma except the original post that they couldn't delete.
The proofs, the reactions, the apologies—everything was gone.
Initially, the leaders of these platforms thought they did a great job. And when they got the calls from Sovereigns one by one, they were even more pleased.
But reality bitch slapped them.
Smash!
"You dickheads! What are you trying to accomplish?" Sovereign Ares growled at the four holograms in front of him.
"You think we are gods and can do whatever we can't? Or do you think the public can't even see your preposterous actions?" Lightning snakes coiled around him, hissing at them to answer obediently.
"B-But Sir, we don't want the image of the federation to be damaged."
Kaaa!
"Are you stupid or are you stupid? After what you've done, the public will direct their anger toward the federation. You've done exactly what you were trying to prevent. Once the public loses trust in the institutions, the society will crumble." Sovereign Irene lectured in a raging tone.
"B-But, we were only trying to help maintain the public image."
Kree!
"What a terrible decision." Sovereign Kevin shook his head regretfully. "If we came out clean and let the Xanders, at least a few of them admit their mistake, the fiasco would've ended smoothly."
"B-But Sir, we were also instructed." A leader cried out.
Boom!
"Instructed by one Sovereign and you didn't even consult the rest when taking such a big decision! Do you guys have water inside your brains?" Sovereign Micheal Caron, the eternal pessimist stared at them like he wanted to eat them alive.
"Now the public will revolt. The army will also revolt. They'll call you greedy corporations and us Sovereigns as dictators. While we plunge into civil war, abyssals will attack and kill us all." Sovereign Micheal Caron blankly stared into the outer space and said in despair.
"S-Sir, the situation isn't as bad as you think!"
Shuaaa!
"Isn't bad as I think? Oh? Then you tell me, why did the special apps on the black market get 100x more downloads than usual in the past few hours? And this number is going up as we speak." Sovereign Kreo said in a low tone.
"Our public image has taken a hit. In the private chatrooms, people started blaming the federation. There's only one solution to this." Sovereign Kreo looked at them plainly and said.
"W-What is that, Sir?" Another leader asked apprehensively.
Boom!
"You guys take responsibility, and apologize in public." Sovereign Vianne rolled on a fluffy bed as she chuckled.
"A-Apologize?" A leader stuttered. "But if we do that, our careers would…."
It was the same as pleading their guilt. Once this issue blows up in courts, their lives would be caught up in an endless nightmare of lawsuits.
Until now, they planned to use some scapegoats they bought out in their company in case of legal problems, but if they take responsibility and apologize, that's a different issue altogether.
"Is there no other way?"
"Hehe." Sovereign Vianne fanned herself as she lazily glanced at them. The room was filled with gold and jewelry one couldn't imagine in their lifetime. Yet, she seemed to be interested more in the four holograms than the treasures.
"It's been too long since something like this happened. So, you big corporation guys have no idea how much mess you've made. The apology isn't the end, it's only the beginning." She chuckled to herself and waved her hand.
The water vapor in the air started to condense and ate away the hologram projector.
"B-But won't an apology suffice?"
Kaaa!
"It won't. There is one more step." The oldest of all Sovereigns, and also the most influential among them, Sovereign Albert told the leaders emotionlessly.
"One more?!" The leaders paled.
Just this much was enough to kill them financially and socially. And he's telling them they need one more fucking step?
"Yes. Just one more and all your guilt will be written off." Sovereign Albert nodded seriously. In fact, his expression was always serious.
Legend had it that the last time Sovereign Albert genuinely smiled was when he was tickled at the age of 15.
It was undeniable that Evander had been a bad father. But looking at the parenting he got from Albert, one couldn't really fault him.
Even when Evander was a terrible father, he was light years ahead of Albert.
The reason?
At times, he could be incredibly apathetic.
"Sir, what is the next step?"
"Oh. It's simple, really." Sovereign Albert smiled at them. It was a very professional smile. Not sincere in the slightest.
But it did its job.
The leaders looked at him and smiled back. As social creatures, this was their natural reaction.
"You just have to be hanged." Sovereign Albert said in a nonchalant tone.
"Pardon?" The leaders thought they were hearing things. Had the audio system gone wrong? Or was someone playing a prank on them?
The leaders thought that perhaps Dreamer himself is blocking this conversation. So, they looked at Albert with hopeful eyes and were even determined to read his lip movements to confirm his words.
"Oh right, I'm getting too old for this shit." Sovereign Albert shifted in his seat to a more comfortable position.
Then he looked the leaders in the eye. Their eyes were full of hope and anticipation.
But there was also another emotion they didn't notice.
Fear.
"Heh." Sovereign Albert snickered and said in a nonchalant but undeniable tone. "Don't worry too much about it."
Their expression eased, but his next words caused them to freeze.
"After a public apology, you will all be hanged."
